Rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia)

This evergreen perennial is another orchid species native to the northwest. This orchid gets its common name from the rattlesnake like markings and its plantain shaped basal leaves. The leaves are one of its most defining features - they have white stripes along the mid ridge with net-like white veins that grow in a rosette near the bottom of the plant. The flowers are bi-laterally symmetric, numerous and grow in an spirally arranged spike with greenish white flowers. Its petals and sepals form a hood that cover its lower lip which makes it hard to identify as an orchid. When looking at orchids keep in mind that they have three sepals (one usually modified) and three petals (one modified as a lower lip or a hollow pouch). This plant grows in humus rich soils, under mixed conifer forests, in low to mid elevations, and is often associated with mossy substrates. Its range extends through western North America from Alaska to northern Mexico and throughout Canada’s Maritime provinces, the Great Lakes, and in Maine. Enthnobotanically, the Cowlitz, Okanagan, Saanich, and Nlaka’pamux tribes used this plant to make tonic infusions, chewed by women during childbirth, made into poultices for scrapes and wounds, and placed into bath water to reduce muscle soreness. So many interesting botanical features and practical uses for this plant, so keep an eye out for it next time you’re hiking around!